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Alternatives · VPNs

WireGuard alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded WireGuard alternative is OpenVPN (2.8 GPA). It's also the best free one.

WireGuard compared with 8 alternatives: OpenVPN, SoftEther VPN, Firezone, Outline VPN, Mullvad VPN and 3 more.

WireGuard is free to use. 5 of the 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
WireGuardThis toolFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
OpenVPNFree plan · from $7/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
SoftEther VPNFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
FirezoneFree plan · from $50/yrYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Outline VPNFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Mullvad VPNFrom €5/moNomacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
NordLayerFrom $8/moNomacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
TunnelblickFreeFreemacOS
ViscosityFree trial · from $16 one-timeTrial onlymacOS, Windows

Price against what you get

WireGuard has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 7 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.

OpenVPN, SoftEther VPN, Firezone, Mullvad VPN and NordLayer score higher without starting lower.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$1$2$5$10$20More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessWireGuardOpenVPNSoftEther VPNFirezoneMullvad VPNNordLayerTunnelblick

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of VPNs, and the best at every price

How each one differs from WireGuard

  1. OpenVPN

    Open-source VPN protocol plus business VPN products built on it

    • OpenVPN starts at $7 per connection or seat / month, billed annually.
    • OpenVPN is self-hostable, according to its own site.

    Suits: IT teams giving employees and contractors remote access to company apps

    OpenVPN vs WireGuardOpenVPN pricing and details

  2. SoftEther VPN

    Free multi-protocol VPN server and client from a Japanese university

    • SoftEther VPN is free.
    • SoftEther VPN is self-hostable, according to its own site.

    Suits: Administrators who want one self-hosted server to accept many VPN protocols

    SoftEther VPN vs WireGuardSoftEther VPN pricing and details

  3. Firezone

    WireGuard-based zero-trust remote access for teams

    • Firezone starts at $50 per seat / year ($5 per seat / month billed monthly).

    Suits: Small teams and homelabs on the free plan for up to 6 users

    Firezone vs WireGuardFirezone pricing and details

  4. Outline VPN

    Open-source software for running your own VPN server

    • Outline VPN is free.
    • Outline VPN is self-hostable, according to its own site.

    Suits: People who want to run their own VPN instead of trusting a provider

    Outline VPN vs WireGuardOutline VPN pricing and details

  5. Mullvad VPN

    Flat-rate Swedish VPN with anonymous numbered accounts

    • Mullvad VPN starts at €5 per month, the same rate for any length paid ahead.
    • Mullvad VPN has no free plan, unlike WireGuard.
    • Mullvad VPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.

    Suits: People who want a VPN account with no email or name attached

    Mullvad VPN vs WireGuardMullvad VPN pricing and details

  6. NordLayer

    Business VPN and network access control from Nord Security

    • NordLayer starts at $8 per user / month, billed yearly ($10 billed monthly).
    • NordLayer has no free plan, unlike WireGuard.
    • NordLayer also lists a browser extension.
    • NordLayer also covers malware protection.

    Suits: Teams of five or more that need one admin panel for VPN access

    NordLayer vs WireGuardNordLayer pricing and details

  7. Tunnelblick

    Free open-source OpenVPN client for macOS

    • Tunnelblick is free.
    • Tunnelblick lists no Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps, which WireGuard has.
    • Tunnelblick also covers menu bar app.

    Suits: Mac users whose employer or VPN provider supplies OpenVPN files

    Tunnelblick vs WireGuardTunnelblick pricing and details

  8. Viscosity

    OpenVPN client for Mac and Windows, bought once

    • Viscosity starts at $16 one-time, per license.
    • Viscosity has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike WireGuard.
    • Viscosity lists no Linux, iOS and Android apps, which WireGuard has.
    • Viscosity can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Viscosity also covers menu bar app.

    Suits: Mac and Windows users who connect to OpenVPN servers

    Viscosity vs WireGuardViscosity pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in WireGuard

  • It is software, not a hosted VPN: there are no provider servers, and you supply the server and keys.
  • Key distribution and pushed configuration are outside its scope, so users, sign-in and policy need other tools.
  • The site says the project is under heavy development.
  • The macOS and iOS apps are installed from the App Store, and the Android app from Google Play or as an APK.
WireGuard pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to WireGuard?

The alternatives to WireGuard in this directory are OpenVPN, SoftEther VPN, Firezone, Outline VPN, Mullvad VPN, NordLayer, Tunnelblick and Viscosity. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with WireGuard.

Is there a free alternative to WireGuard?

Yes. SoftEther VPN, Outline VPN and Tunnelblick are free to use. OpenVPN and Firezone have a free plan alongside paid ones.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Nov 2, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.